10 rupees 1967

Common. While this is a banknote from 1967 with significant historical value as an early post-independence issue, secondary market data indicates robust circulation among collectors. eBay sales records show consistent availability across multiple condition grades, with UNC specimens regularly selling in the $30–$60 range in recent years (2020–2025), indicating healthy supply. The catalog value of $12.50 for UNC (2019 standard) further confirms its common status. These notes were printed in substantial quantities by TDLR and have survived well due to their quality construction, resulting in regular availability on the collector market.

Issued in 1967, shortly after Mauritius gained independence in 1968, this note reflects the transitional period when the island was still under British colonial influence while moving toward autonomy. The prominent display of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse symbolizes Mauritius's status as a Commonwealth nation, while the Government Building depicted on the reverse—shown with formal gardens, palm trees, and a distinctive pyramidal roof—represents the colonial administrative infrastructure that would continue to serve the newly independent nation. The multilingual inscriptions in English, Hindi, and Tamil reflect Mauritius's diverse cultural composition and the inclusive approach taken by the newly formed Bank of Mauritius.

The obverse features a right-facing portrait of Queen Elizabeth II positioned at the right side of the note, characteristic of Commonwealth currency designs of this era. The central-lower portion displays the coat of arms of Mauritius, featuring a quartered shield with heraldic elements representing the nation's historical and cultural heritage. The reverse showcases the Government Building (likely the State House or Parliament Building) in Port Louis, depicted in architectural detail with symmetrical formal gardens, balustrades, manicured hedges, flanking palm trees, and a central structure with a pyramidal roof and flag pole. Both sides feature ornate decorative elements including corner rosettes and extensive guilloché security patterns throughout, characteristic of Thomas de la Rue's premium banknote production standards of the period.

Front: 'BANK OF MAURITIUS' (English), 'THIS NOTE IS LEGAL TENDER FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE AMOUNT STATED THEREON' (English), 'TEN RUPEES' (English), 'பத்து ரூபாய்' (Tamil: Ten Rupees), 'दस रुपये' (Hindi: Ten Rupees), 'P.S 10' (English), 'A/26 874992' (English: Serial Number), 'RS 10' (English), 'GOVERNOR OF THE BANK' (English), 'MANAGING DIRECTOR' (English). Back: 'RS.10' (English), 'BANK OF MAURITIUS' (English), 'रु.10' (Hindi: 10 Rupees), 'RS.10' (English).

Intaglio engraving, printed by Thomas de la Rue & Company, London. The extensive fine line work, guilloche patterns, and intricate cross-hatching visible throughout both the obverse and reverse are hallmarks of high-security intaglio production. The detailed architectural rendering on the reverse and the portrait work on the obverse demonstrate the advanced engraving capabilities of TDLR, the world's leading security printer at the time.

The specimen is identified as Pick P-31c, printed by Thomas de la Rue (TDLR). The PMG population report indicates multiple variants exist for this base Pick number (P-31a, P-31b, P-31c, P-31c*, P-31s, and specimen variants), with P-31c being the standard circulation issue variant. The serial number prefix 'A/26' and format 'A/26 874992' is consistent with the regular issue cataloging. No signature varieties, date variations, or overprints are noted in the visual analysis, suggesting this is a straightforward printing variant from the primary 1967 Bank of Mauritius issuance.